2005 Saturn Relay Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Saturn Relay, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes4131.3%
- Electrical2418.3%
- Interior & seats118.4%
- Body & structure107.6%
- Exterior lighting75.3%
- Other / unspecified75.3%
- Fuel system64.6%
- Driver assistance53.8%
- Suspension43.1%
- Engine32.3%
- Steering32.3%
- Tires & wheels32.3%
- Visibility21.5%
- Powertrain (other)21.5%
- Transmission21.5%
- Heating & air conditioning10.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS) WARNING LIGHT CONTINUE TO LIGHT UP AND STAYS ON I HAVE SEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS CHAT SESSIONS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN RELAY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SPEED SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, THE SLIDING DOOR CHIME ACTIVATED EVEN THOUGH BOTH SLIDING DOORS WERE CLOSED. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 09/08/16*LJ *CN
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXACT SAME ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN APRIL 2014 GM RECALL 14063. SUDDEN LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. UNPREDICTABLE VERY DANGEROUS. SEEMS TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OTHER SATURNS ARE LISTED IN THE 2014 RECALL BUT MINE IS NOT. IT SHOULD BE LISTED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN RELAY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SPEED SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, THE SLIDING DOOR CHIME ACTIVATED EVEN THOUGH BOTH SLIDING DOORS WERE CLOSED. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 09/08/16*LJ *CN
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR CHIMED AND REOPENED WITHOUT BEING OBSTRUCTED. RELAY WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN 2005 AND PROBLEMS WITH DOORS BEGAN WITHIN ONE YEAR. INITIALLY REPAIR WAS DENIED AS DEALER "COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM." THE SENSORS HAVE BEEN SERVICED 3 TIMES BY DEALER, AND MOTORS WERE REPLACED ONCE WHILE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS PROBLEM IS CONCERNING AS MANUFACTURER AND DEALERS ARE AWARE OF ISSUE, AND REPORTS ON SATURN FORUM AND EDMUNDS.COM HAVE NUMEROUS OWNERS EXPERIENCING FAILURE OF DOORS. DOORS HAVE OPENED WHILE CAR IS IN GEAR, BUT STOPPED. CONCERNED THAT DOORS WILL OPEN WHILE CAR IS MOVING AND CHILDREN WILL BE EJECTED OR INJURED BY DEBRIS ENTERING VEHICLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN RELAY. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE TO CLOSE THE DOORS; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY AND CONTINUED TO PEN WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REINSPECTED BY A SATURN DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT SINCE THE MILEAGE WAS HIGH THEY WOULD NOT COMPENSATE THEM FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK SINCE HER CHILDREN COULD POSSIBLY BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
ELECTRIC SLIDING DOOR WILL OPEN BY ITSELF ON MY 2005 SATURN RELAY. HAVE TO DISABLE DOOR TO BE SURE IT DOES NOT OPEN WHILE DRIVING, BUT WILL ENABLE ITSELF AND START OPENING BY ITSELF AGAIN. AS SATURN IS OUT OF BUSINESS, DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO TURN. *TR
POWER SLIDING DOORS DON'T LATCH PROPERLY. MOTOR WILL KEEP RUNNING ON DOORS & AS YOU ARE DRIVING, IF YOU HIT A BUMP OR MAKE A SHARP TURN, THE CAR DINGS LIKE THE DOOR HAS OPENED. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS IS TO PULL OVER & OPEN & THEN RECLOSE THE DOOR. *TR
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I DRIVE AT NIGHT I HAVE TO TURN MY HEADLIGHTS OFF TO USE MY TURN SIGNALS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE 2005 SATURN RELAY WILL NOT WORK UNLESS THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS...YET. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE.
AFTER HAVING MY BRAKES REPLACED, THE ABS LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF FOR AWHILE, BUT EVERY TIME I APPLY THE BRAKES IT WILL COME BACK ON FOR DAYS. I AM ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH MY BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS. THEY KEEP GOING IN AND OUT. SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE CORRECTLY, I CHECK TO MAKE SURE NOTHING IS IN THE WAY BUT STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN RELAY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SPEED SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, THE SLIDING DOOR CHIME ACTIVATED EVEN THOUGH BOTH SLIDING DOORS WERE CLOSED. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 09/08/16*LJ *CN
I HAVE A SATURN RELAY 2005 ABS LIGHTS STAYS ON,ALL WHEEL DRIVE DISABLE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON, REPLACED HUB AND WHEELBEARING THREE TIMES STILL HAVE ABS LIGHTS COME ON. NOBODY SEEM TO KNOW HOW FIX THIS PROBLEM, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. DON'T TRUST HAVING MY KIDS IN THE CAR. I LOOKED UP ON THE COMPUTER A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SATURN RELAY,THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE THERE ARE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND LAWSUITS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FIRST TIME I WAS PARKED AND THE VAN WOULD NOT START. I WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE THE FUEL PUMP. I HAD THE VAN TOW TO A SERVICE CENTER. THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL RELAY. I PAID TO HAVE THE FUEL RELAY REPLACED. A FEW DAYS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THE VAN WOULD NOT START. THIS TIME WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY OR SPARK PLUGS. I PAID TO HAVE A NEW BATTERY, NEW SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG CABLES. A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK AND THE VAN WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I HAD IT TOW AND THEY SAID IT MIGHT BE THE FUEL PUMP. THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BUT THEN NOTICED THE WIRES LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN. THE MECHANIC WIGGLED THE WIRES AND THE VAN STARTED. A FEW WEEKS LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DOING ABOUT 50 AND THE VAN JUST LOST POWER. IT WAS AS IF IT RAN OUT OF GAS. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER AND HAD THE VAN TOWED AGAIN. AFTER THIS SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE DRIVING THE VAN WILL ACT AS IF IT RAN OUT OF GAS. I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT...YET. I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE VAN, GO TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND WIGGLE THE WIRES LOCATED UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT OF THE VAN.
EVERY TIME WE FILL UP WITH FUEL, THE GAS GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY,AND THE DISPLAY TELLS US WE HAVE LOW FUEL. AFTER AWHILE THE GAUGE WILL GO TO FULL, THEN BECOME ERRATIC AND SHOW US DIFFERENT FUEL LEVELS. IT TAKES QUITE A WHILE FOR THE GAUGE TO GIVE AN ACTUAL READING. I RECOMMEND THAT THIS VEHICLE BE PUT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM THAT OTHER GM VEHICLES HAVE HAD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FIRST TIME I WAS PARKED AND THE VAN WOULD NOT START. I WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE THE FUEL PUMP. I HAD THE VAN TOW TO A SERVICE CENTER. THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL RELAY. I PAID TO HAVE THE FUEL RELAY REPLACED. A FEW DAYS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THE VAN WOULD NOT START. THIS TIME WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY OR SPARK PLUGS. I PAID TO HAVE A NEW BATTERY, NEW SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG CABLES. A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK AND THE VAN WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I HAD IT TOW AND THEY SAID IT MIGHT BE THE FUEL PUMP. THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BUT THEN NOTICED THE WIRES LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN. THE MECHANIC WIGGLED THE WIRES AND THE VAN STARTED. A FEW WEEKS LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DOING ABOUT 50 AND THE VAN JUST LOST POWER. IT WAS AS IF IT RAN OUT OF GAS. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER AND HAD THE VAN TOWED AGAIN. AFTER THIS SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE DRIVING THE VAN WILL ACT AS IF IT RAN OUT OF GAS. I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT...YET. I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE VAN, GO TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND WIGGLE THE WIRES LOCATED UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT OF THE VAN.
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY, SATURN RELAY 2005 SLOWED DOWN AND LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY. DASH WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF (ABS/STABILITY/TRACTION) - WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER ON AND OFF. WHEN I APPLIED THE GAS, THE VEHICLE BOGGED DOWN AND CONTINUED TO SLOW. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. I COULD NOT MOVE OVER TO THE BERM DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC SO I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT AT AN UPCOMING EXIT RAMP. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES NOTHING HAPPENED THE FIRST FEW TIMES. THEN THE BRAKES WORKED SO I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN EVENTUALLY. THE BRAKES WERE PULSATING WHEN I WOULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND INTERMITTENTLY, NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN RELAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A LOUD RATTLING NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DEALER. ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR YEARS AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
2005 SATURN RELAY W/ ONLY 38,000 NEEDS LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING FOR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REPLACED AT A COST OF ~$500. ABS & T/C ENGAGES DURING NORMAL BREAKING. OBVIOUSLY FAULTY PARTS THAT SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN RELAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMING ON AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM WILL NOT OPERERATE PROPERLY. THERE HAS BEEN A FEW TIMES WHERE THE BRAKES WILL NOT STOP THE VEHICLE PROPERLY OR HAVE LOCKED UP A COUPLE OF TIMES. WE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE EGR VALVE DO TO A CODE 0414/0414. WE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE PCM BECAUSE THE SYSTEM LOCKED UP AND DELETED ALL THE CODES CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL TO START WHILE TRING TO UPDATE THE PCM TO RECOGNIZE THE NEW EGR. I ALSO HAVE PROPLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS FLICKERING AND DIMMING ALL THE TIME. THESE PROBLEMS EXIST EVERY DAY AND I FEEL THE VEHICLE IS GETTING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE CONTACTED GM SEVERAL TIMES AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO GET THE PCM REPLACED. THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE OLD PCM BUT I HAVE THE ORIGINAL DELPHI EGR VALVE. GM SAID THTHAT THE 2005 RELAY HAS RECALLS ON THE EGR AND PCM BUT MY VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED AND REFUSED TO PAY ANY ON THE REPAIRS OR PAY TO HAVE THE VAN CHECKED OUT AT A GM DEALERSHIP. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN RELAY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SPEED SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, THE SLIDING DOOR CHIME ACTIVATED EVEN THOUGH BOTH SLIDING DOORS WERE CLOSED. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 09/08/16*LJ *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN RELAY. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO VEERED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL KNUCKLE AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A REPORT FROM NHTSA ID 05V552000 ABOUT WRONG TIRE PRESSURE ON DOOR TAG (35 LBS) AND TIRE PRESSURE SHOULD BE 44 LBS. I HAVE A 2005 SATURN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE IT WAS POINTED OUT BY A FRIEND. I HAVE TALKED TO A SATURN DEALER AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT . ALL I WANT IS THE RIGHT STICKER FOR THE DOOR. *TR
THE VALVE STEMS ON THE TIRES ARE BEING CUT BY THE WHEEL COVERS. THEY ARE FLEXIBLE AND AT SPEED RUB AGAINST THE WHEEL COVERS. 3 OF THE 4 VALVE STEMS ARE BEING CUT INTO. SHOWED THE DEALER AND HE DID NOTHING. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER (SATURN) AND HAVE NOT HEARD BACK. IF NOR FIXED VALVE STEM COULD RUB THROUGH AND RESULT IN A FLAT TIRE AT SPEED RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I DRIVE AT NIGHT I HAVE TO TURN MY HEADLIGHTS OFF TO USE MY TURN SIGNALS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE 2005 SATURN RELAY WILL NOT WORK UNLESS THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS...YET. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE.
FAILURE OF SLIDING SIDE DOOR TO LOCK FAILURE OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILURE OF REAR BRAKES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WIFE PLACED OUR 2005 SATURN RELAY MINIVAN IN PARK, AND STEPPED OUT TO GET THE MAIL. THE VAN IMMEDIATELY STARTED BACKWARDS, WITH THE DOOR PUSHING HER DOWN. LUCKILY, AS IT PUSHED HER DOWN, SHE FELL TO THE INSIDE, AND WAS ABLE TO ACTIVATE THE PARKING BRAKE WITH HER HAND, STOPPING THE CAR. SHE DID RECEIVE A VERY MINOR KNEE INJURY, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. OUR TWO DAUGHTERS WERE BOTH IN THE CAR, WHICH WOULD HAVE ROLLED DOWN A HILL AND INTO A NEIGHBORS HOUSE, HAD SHE NOT STOPPED IT. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT SHE'D MADE A MISTAKE, BUT AFTER LOOKING AT THE SHIFTING MECHANISM, I CAN SEE HOW THIS HAPPENED. AS YOU KNOW, ON A STEERING MOUNTED SHIFTER (LIKE THIS) YOU PULL THE LEVER TOWARD YOU, MOVE IT TO THE APPROPRIATE GEAR, AND RELEASE IT, LOCKING THE MECHANISM IN THE NEWLY SELECTED GEAR. ON THIS VEHICLE, THERE IS A LARGE DEAD SPACE (FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD) BETWEEN REVERSE AND PARK. IT'S POSSIBLE TO RELEASE THE LEVER BEFORE THE SELECTOR IS FULLY IN THE PARK DETENT. WHEN YOU DO THIS, THERE IS NO OUTWARD INDICATION OF A PROBLEM, OTHER THAN AN UNUSUAL FEEL TO THE LEVER THAT'S EASY TO MISS IF YOU'RE IN A HURRY. ONCE YOU DO THIS, THE LEVER (AFTER A FEW SECONDS) WILL EITHER POP INTO PARK, OR INTO REVERSE. OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU'RE NO LONGER IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, THIS IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM. I'VE CHECKED THIS ON OTHER SATURN RELAYS AND ON ONE CHEVROLET (SAME MODEL, DIFFERENT NAME) AND THEY ALL DID THIS. ALL OF THE ONES I CHECKED WERE 2005, SO I DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ANY OTHER YEAR MODELS. WE NOW ALWAYS SET THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN STOPPING, JUST IN CASE. THIS IS MORE A DESIGN DEFECT THAN A COMPONENT FAILURE, FROM WHAT I CAN SEE. *TR
RIGHT DOOR POPPED OPEN WHEN IT WANTED TOO. AIR CONDITIONER (A/C )DID NOT PROPERLY COOL, SEVERE VIBRATION IN FRONT DRIVETRAIN. 09/01/05 CLEANED CONTACTS, 10/8/05 MOTOR AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FOR DOOR, 02/27/06 DOOR CONTACTS AND CABLE, 04/19/06 RETURNED TO DEALER, 07/18/06 REPLACED CONTACTS, 0 AND ON 8/16/06 RETURNED TO DEALER. DOORS WERE INOPERATIVE. THIS WAS WHAT THEY GAVE US FOR COPIES OF OUR RECORDS THEY NOW HAVE OUR RECORDS FROZEN SO WE COULD NOT VIEW THE HISTORY, DOORS WERE INOPERATIV AT THIS TIME. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
PURCHASED S 2005 SATURN RELAY IN APRIL 06. SINCE DAY ONE THINGS HAVE BEEN WRONG, BRAKE ROTORS WARPED, AXEL BROKEN, INTERIOR PARTS NEEDING REPLACEMENT AND NOW IT IS IN THE SHOP FOR WEEKS FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I HAVE A FILE OPEN WITH SATURN AND THEY ARE NOT HELPFUL. I HAVE 6 KIDS 5 OF WHICH DRIVE IN THE CAR QUITE A BIT AND I FEEL THE CAR IS UNSAFE. THE DEALER ADMITTED TO NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO WITH THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S BEING DONE TO MY VEHICLE THEY SAID THEY WILL NOTIFY ME WHEN THEY MAKE PROGRESS. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED SLIGHTLY BACKWARD ON AN INCLINE WHILE MOVING FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ONE DEALER DETERMINED THIS WAS NORMAL AND ANOTHER DETERMINED A RECENT DESIGN CHANGE WAS THE CAUSE. UPDATED 5/2/2006 - *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
RIGHT DOOR POPPED OPEN WHEN IT WANTED TOO. AIR CONDITIONER (A/C )DID NOT PROPERLY COOL, SEVERE VIBRATION IN FRONT DRIVETRAIN. 09/01/05 CLEANED CONTACTS, 10/8/05 MOTOR AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FOR DOOR, 02/27/06 DOOR CONTACTS AND CABLE, 04/19/06 RETURNED TO DEALER, 07/18/06 REPLACED CONTACTS, 0 AND ON 8/16/06 RETURNED TO DEALER. DOORS WERE INOPERATIVE. THIS WAS WHAT THEY GAVE US FOR COPIES OF OUR RECORDS THEY NOW HAVE OUR RECORDS FROZEN SO WE COULD NOT VIEW THE HISTORY, DOORS WERE INOPERATIV AT THIS TIME. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .